"Who's Kidding Who?"
(Previous Post: "Some Things Never Change")
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Stardate: 61014.2340
Derek's first reaction was typical of a human; he wanted to attack out
of pure surprise. It definitely was a first, no one had ever managed to
get passed all of his ships security locks. Yet here he was with a weapon
to the FCO's head. The man backed away to a position that allowed him to keep
an eye on both Susan and Derek.
Slowly spinning the pilots chair around the half human half Vulcan
pushed down all traces of his human side so that his Vulcan side could analyze
the situation and possibilities.
The man was studying the Cns closely, "Well it is obvious that you are
more than a trader my dear. So tell me who are you?"
Susan glanced at the FCO unsure how she should answer. But he just sat
with a serene look on his face as if he knew something she did not. Opting
for the best she simply did not answer the question, and gazed toward an
area above the Vulcan's head.
Though Derek did not show it he was pleased with her response. He had
noted a number of items that did not fit. First and foremost important he was
being ignored as a lower class. The man obviously had not recognized
that Susan was not the same person he had met earlier. The man also did not
appear to recognize the Ensigns uniform. But even more important was
the small security enunciator panels set high on the aft bulkhead, of the
five lights only three were red. Two were still green which meant the man
was not as in control as he thought. Maybe with help from his human half he
could run a bluff and see who this man represented.
Putting on his most stoic face the half human turned to Susan, "My
Lady, please do not concern yourself with this man or his obvious lack of
social skills, with your permission I will deal with this intruder."
The Cns was a quick study, it of course helped her that she had sat in
on the mission briefing with Derek and Maya. Still she wondered what he
had in mind. Well she did trust him, even though she could not say why. So
striking as haughty a pose as she could and trying to keep her voice from
quavering she looked down upon her pilot…
"You are correct; I shall not lower myself to answer him. You have my
permission."
"Wait a minute… I am in control you will talk to me and tell me who you
really are, cause you are not traders." stated the man flatly.
Speaking softly the FCO began… "You are correct sir she is more than a
simple trader but if you wish more information perhaps we should know
who you are first?"
The man's face began to turn red and his body began to shake, but than like someone threw a switch he relaxed. Looking back and forth between the two prisoners in front of him not sure of their real status his IRRAJ upbringing kicked in, he turned and in a formal tone spoke to Susan and Derek.
"My Lady… Sir… I am Delph Knor late Commander of the First Brigade Royal
Guards IRRAJIAN Secret Police."
Keeping his face noncommittal the Vulcan replied… "Did I understand you
to say that you are no longer with the ISS? May I than ask why you are
here?"
"Because you do not fit, and you arrived at almost the same time as the
large warship that the people were told was here to insure their
compliance to the New Order."
Derek looked at Susan and shook his head. He was positive that Delph
was talking about the ANUBIS. The question was why anyone would want the
lower class to believe a story of that nature. The Vulcan was not sure he
should be completely up front at this time. They needed more information to go
on; it was time to increase the bluff.
"Commander Knorr, your intelligence is essentially correct," stated the ANUBIS FCO, "although we are not with the ship you mention, we are from the same general group. I doubt that you will believe me but I can state without qualm that what you were told they were here for is impossible. You see they, like us are prohibited from interfering with the government or people of any planet."
Derek decided to take a shot in the dark a totally human trait. "May I
infer from our conversation that you are a member of some type of local
underground movement?"
Before the man could answer Susan cleared her throat.
"I do not wish to be a bother, may I excuse myself, I would like to
freshen up sir?"
Once again the man's upbringing showed through… "Of course My Lady, my
apologies."
Susan glanced momentarily at Derek and began to get up. Derek noticed
the slight movement of her eyes and raised an eyebrow. As she slowly stood
she took a step and stumbled. Delph quickly reached out to steady her. The
FCO uncoiled from the chair grabbing the man's wrist that held the weapon.
The Cns spun and chopped at the mans neck, causing him to spin toward her
knocking her painfully to the floor. The Vulcans fingers closed on
Delph's neck and he slid unconscious to the deck.
Derek stepped quickly over the inert body to Susan's side and gently
lifted her back into the chair.
"Susan are you alright…" The Vulcan asked with a worried look on his
face. He was desperately struggling to suppress the human emotions that were
trying to overwhelm him.
The Cns looked up into the FCO's eyes and wondered which half was asking. Her own feelings where so mixed up she just could not be sure of them not since the mind meld. She knew that until the hole in her memory was filled that she could not allow herself to react in any but a professional way.
"I'm fine Ensign, what now?" she stated in her most detached voice.
Derek quickly picked up on the professional tone and persona. "Well if
he is as I suspect a member of an underground movement, we need to find out
exactly who and what they are and what they want. If we are lucky they
may be able to help us spring our captured crew members."
Bending down the half Vulcan eased the now semi-conscious Delph into
the pilots chair and moved back holding the disrupter in his hand.
"Commander KNORR!" Derek stated firmly. The man looked up fully awake
and looking for a way out.
"Commander for violating merchant law 772-135 of the IRRAJ Merchants
Charter, I as Captain of this vessel sentence you to death." The FCO
raised the disrupter.
Before either Susan or Delph could react the scarred Vulcan pulled the
trigger. The man flinched back… than realized that nothing had
happened. Looking at the emotionless face of the Vulcan he stammered… "Wha… what happened?"
Derek tossed the man the disrupter, "You will notice the setting and
the charge level on your weapon. You managed to circumvent some of my
security systems but not all. That is a modified Type 2 Disrupter; the weak spot in it is that you can fry its firing circuits with an ultra high frequency sound pulse, which is one of my security screens you did not
deactivate. This on the other hand…" Derek stated as he pulled his phaser… "Is a newer version phaser that is not affected."
Turning to the rear the Ensign fired at the aft bulkhead. A pale blue
light lanced out and struck dead centre. Looking back at the man in the
pilot's chair, the ANUBIS' officer continued… "In our business trust is often
hard to come by, that was the lowest setting possible it will stun a
humanoid for a matter of minutes." Holding up the phaser so Delph could see… "This is the firing stud, and here are the various settings. It is now set to kill."
Susan was watching Derek carefully completely lost as to what he was
doing. What he did next totally shocked her. He tossed the phaser into the
agents lap.
Delph carefully picked up the phaser and looked up at the emotionless
face of the large Vulcan in front of him. He too was shocked because the
phaser was indeed on the kill setting.
"Commander Knorr, we are from the Federation Inspector Generals Office,
this is Commander Mei and I am Captain Stormwind. I cannot tell you why we
are here, but I believe we are on the same team. As cliché as it may sound…
Take us to your leader."
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Derek Stormwind
Pilot
USS DRAGONSEYE 2006 post #204
Setting: USS DRAGONSEYE
Brian Matthews (dragonsslayer@excite.com)
FCO
USS ANUBIS
